Fishing Spots in Pasco County, Florida

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Pasco County, located in west-central Florida, was formed in 1887 when citrus groves and cattle ranching were the main industries. The county boasts 140 lakes, many full of bass, crappie and bluegill just waiting to be caught. Located on the northern edge of Tampa Bay near the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, the county also offers 20 miles of coastline for fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Lakes

Crews Lake Wilderness Park in Spring Hill consists of 113 acres for biking, hiking, camping and fishing on Crews Lake. The park provides a boat ramp and canoe access along with a fishing pier to access the 700-acre lake. Fish you might catch include bass, crappie and bluegill. Middle Lake offers bluegill, bass and crappie fishing west of Dade City. You can fish from shore or use the boat ramp. More freshwater lake fishing access is available at Moon Lake Park in New Port Richey. The park provides a boat ramp and canoe access along with shore fishing.

Rivers

For river fishing, Withlacoochee River Park (portal.pascocountyfl.net) in Dade City encompasses 408 acres along the Withlacoochee River. The park includes a fishing pier from which you might catch bass, bluegill and catfish. Canoe access along with a campground, picnic area and hiking trails also are available. Anclote River Park (portal.pascocountyfl.net) in Holiday provides access to the Anclote River. The park includes a boat ramp, or you can fish from the shoreline. A playground, picnic area, beach area and volleyball also are offered.

Saltwater

Several county parks provide fishing piers that give you access to the Gulf of Mexico for fishing. Anclote Gulf Park (portal.pascocountyfl.net) in Holiday provides a fishing pier along with 23 acres of parkland featuring a picnic area, children’s playground and restrooms. Eagle Point Park (portal.pascocountyfl.net) in New Port Richey includes three docks from which you can fish from the Gulf of Mexico. The park also provides canoe and kayak access to the Gulf. Fish you may catch close to shore include grouper and red snapper.

Planning

Before casting your line, whether from shore, a pier, boat or dock, you need to buy a Florida state saltwater or freshwater fishing license, depending on where you plan to fish. If you plan to fish in both saltwater and freshwater, buy the permit that allows you to fish in both. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com) sells the licenses online, or you can buy your license at sporting good stores in the county.

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About the Author

Nancy Wagner is a marketing strategist and speaker who started writing in 1998. She writes business plans for startups and established companies and teaches marketing and promotional tactics at local workshops. Wagner's business and marketing articles have appeared in "Home Business Journal," "Nation’s Business," "Emerging Business" and "The Mortgage Press," among others. She holds a B.S. from Eastern Illinois University.